Shown above is a Metropolitan State College of Denver Caucus held at the State Capitol on Tuesday, January 31. Along with Metro President, Dr. Stephen Jordan, various Metro alums Jon Robinson, CEO and Chief Lending Officer, UMB Colorado, Jim Saccomano, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Denver Broncos, Rob Morrill, Partner, Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP, Denon Moore, Owner, Cake Crumbs and The Denver Cupcake Truck, and Pauline Rivera, Publisher, La Voz Bilingue met with members of the legislature to discuss how their degrees have translated into jobs and a stronger economy for Metro Denver.

Colorado PoliticsRenewable energy tax creditsMark Udall urged Congress to quickly prioritize extending the renewable energy tax credits as part of any upcoming tax policy.In Colorado, Vestas Wind Systems is directly affected by the tax credit extension. Vestas cut 2,000 jobs this month outside of the U.S. and announced it will cut up to 1,600 jobs mostly in Colorado if the tax credit isn’t extended.Last week, Udall met with workers and employers at Vestas’s manufacturing facility in BrigOur Government/Nuestro Gobierno

White House

President Obama held the first ever completely virtual town hall on Monday afternoon from the White House. Obama answered questions submitted by Americans throughout the U.S.

In an effort to encourage students to attend college, Gov. Hickenlooper proclaimed Feb.12, 2012 as College Goal Sunday Day. The objective of College Goal Sunday is to provide Colorado families assistance in the financial aid process. The sixth annual national event will be held at 17 locations statewide from 2-4 p.m. in most locations. Families will receive free professional guidance on ways to pay for college, specifically how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a crucial step in the college planning process. For more information on College Goal Sunday locations, visit www.collegegoalcolorado.org.

Mayor Michael B. Hancock encouraged the state Legislature to approve Senate Bill 15, the Colorado ASSET or tuition equity bill, which received its first hearing in the Senate Education Committee. “By allowing qualified students to attend college at in-state rates, we can realize the investment we have made in them over the course of their academic career. Denver’s economic health depends on a highly skilled work force, and a college education will help these students fulfill their own potential and help strengthen our economy,” Hancock said.

Mark Udall urged Congress to quickly prioritize extending the renewable energy tax credits as part of any upcoming tax policy.

In Colorado, Vestas Wind Systems is directly affected by the tax credit extension. Vestas cut 2,000 jobs this month outside of the U.S. and announced it will cut up to 1,600 jobs mostly in Colorado if the tax credit isn’t extended.

Last week, Udall met with workers and employers at Vestas’s manufacturing facility in Brighton, one of four in Colorado.“Congress’s inaction is preventing Vestas and other American companies from planning ahead. It is jeopardizing our jobs, the wind industry and Colorado’s lead as a renewable energy producer,” Udall said. “I urge my colleagues to get to work and extend this tax credit before hundreds of jobs are lost in Colorado.”

North Metro Fire Rescue District donated an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to Broomfield High School’s Athletic Department during halftime of the school’s boys’ basketball game. North Metro’s donation is in conjunction with the Sweet Hearts Ball Fundraiser presented by the Children’s Hospital. All proceeds raised at the fundraiser are to help place AEDs in Colorado schools.

North Metro knows that the growth of AEDs in the community can help survival rates jump from 5 percent to nearly 75 percent and is hopeful that its donation will have a lasting effect on Broomfield High School. To learn more about AEDs and for more information on the Sweet Hearts Ball Fundraiser, contact Cheryl Poage at 303-805-0228.

‘Try It, You’ll Like It’

Denver Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive Recreation Program and the Recreation Professions Program at Metropolitan State College of Denver have partnered once again to offer the ‘Try It, You’ll Like It’ program in Spring, 2012.

This unique program offers people with disabilities recreation opportunities while providing supervised, hands-on training for therapeutic recreation students.

People with disabilities can register for the program through Denver Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive Recreation office by contacting Sarah Swain, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at 720-865-0826. The program runs from 3 until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays at La Alma Recreation Center, 1325 W 11th Ave. For information contact Dr. Jane Broida at broidaj@mscd.edu or 303 556-4206.

Free tax help

The Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder is offering free tax help to taxpayers who qualify.VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS-sponsored program that provides free tax return preparation services to low and moderate income taxpayers (generally $50,000 and below).

VITA will run through March 31 in Room 375 in the Koelbel Building (home of the Leeds School of Business on the CU-Boulder campus) on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Hours are Wednesdays 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m.). Childcare is provided.

The Koelbel Building is located at 995 Regent Drive, across the street from the Coors Event Center in Boulder. Free parking is available only in the parking garage across the street from the Koelbel Building.

Eligible taxpayers should bring their Social Security cards for all family members, their 2011 tax return, and all tax documents such as W-2s and 1099s. For a list of tax returns that volunteers can prepare, see the PDF (in English and Spanish) at leeds.colorado.edu.

Loening Trophy

Metropolitan State College of Denver’s Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science received the Loening Trophy, the oldest and most prestigious collegiate aviation award, during a presentation on the Auraria Campus. The trophy is was presented to Metro State’s Precision Flight Team on behalf of the department; it recognizes the most outstanding all-around collegiate aviation program in the country.

The perpetual trophy, characterized as the “Stanley Cup” of collegiate aviation, is made of pure silver, designed by Tiffany & Co. and dates back to 1929. It was named after aviation pioneer and inventor Dr. Grover Loening. As the first aeronautical engineer hired by the Wright Brothers to manage the Wright Aircraft Company in 1913, Loening judged the first Loening award competition with Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart at his side.hton, one of four in Colorado.“Congress’s inaction is preventing Vestas and other American companies from planning ahead. It is jeopardizing our jobs, the wind industry and Colorado’s lead as a renewable energy producer,” Udall said. “I urge my colleagues to get to work and extend this tax credit before hundreds of jobs are lost in Colorado.”La Fundación AARP Tax-AideAyuda libre de preparación de impuestos para los contribuyentes de bajos y medianos ingresos, con especial atención a los mayores de 60 años, está disponible en la Fundación AARP Tax-Aide del 1 de febrero hasta el 17 de abril. No es necesario ser un miembro de la AARP o un jubilado para utilizar este servicio.Voluntarios de la Fundación AARP Tax-Aide, formados en cooperación con el Servicio de Impuestos Internos, ofrecerá ayuda con las declaraciones personales en diversos lugares de Colorado.El año pasado, 575 voluntarios de la Fundación AARP Tax-Aide ayudaron a más de 17 mil personas presentando sus declaraciones de impuestos federales, estatales y locales en Colorado. El programa se ofrece en unas 50 localidades en Colorado, incluyendo centros de ancianos, bibliotecas y otros lugares convenientes.Llame al número telefónico gratuito, 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669) o visite www.aarp.org/taxaide, durante esta temporada de impuestos, para localizar una Fundación AARP Tax-Aide más cercano.Tax-Aide es un programa de la Fundación AARP, ofrecida en conjunto con el IRS.North Metro donated AED to Broomfield HighNorth Metro Fire Rescue District donated an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to Broomfield High School’s Athletic Department during halftime of the school’s boys’ basketball game. North Metro’s donation is in conjunction with the Sweet Hearts Ball Fundraiser presented by the Children’s Hospital. All proceeds raised at the fundraiser are to help place AEDs in Colorado schools.North Metro knows that the growth of AEDs in the community can help survival rates jump from 5 percent to nearly 75 percent and is hopeful that its donation will have a lasting effect on Broomfield High School. To learn more about AEDs and for more information on the Sweet Hearts Ball Fundraiser, contact Cheryl Poage at 303-805-0228.‘Try It, You’ll Like It’Denver Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive Recreation Program and the Recreation Professions Program at Metropolitan State College of Denver have partnered once again to offer the ‘Try It, You’ll Like It’ program in Spring, 2012.This unique program offers people with disabilities recreation opportunities while providing supervised, hands-on training for therapeutic recreation students.People with disabilities can register for the program through Denver Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive Recreation office by contacting Sarah Swain, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at 720-865-0826. The program runs from 3 until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays at La Alma Recreation Center, 1325 W 11th Ave. For information contact Dr. Jane Broida at broidaj@mscd.edu or 303 556-4206.Free tax helpThe Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder is offering free tax help to taxpayers who qualify.VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS-sponsored program that provides free tax return preparation services to low and moderate income taxpayers (generally $50,000 and below).VITA will run through March 31 in Room 375 in the Koelbel Building (home of the Leeds School of Business on the CU-Boulder campus) on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Hours are Wednesdays 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m.). Childcare is provided.The Koelbel Building is located at 995 Regent Drive, across the street from the Coors Event Center in Boulder. Free parking is available only in the parking garage across the street from the Koelbel Building.Eligible taxpayers should bring their Social Security cards for all family members, their 2011 tax return, and all tax documents such as W-2s and 1099s. For a list of tax returns that volunteers can prepare, see the PDF (in English and Spanish) at leeds.colorado.edu.Loening TrophyMetropolitan State College of Denver’s Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science received the Loening Trophy, the oldest and most prestigious collegiate aviation award, during a presentation on the Auraria Campus. The trophy is was presented to Metro State’s Precision Flight Team on behalf of the department; it recognizes the most outstanding all-around collegiate aviation program in the country.The perpetual trophy, characterized as the “Stanley Cup” of collegiate aviation, is made of pure silver, designed by Tiffany & Co. and dates back to 1929. It was named after aviation pioneer and inventor Dr. Grover Loening. As the first aeronautical engineer hired by the Wright Brothers to manage the Wright Aircraft Company in 1913, Loening judged the first Loening award competition with Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart at his side.